Once I pull the trigger on a new JKU my second mod will be 33" wheel/tire combination (leveling kit will be first). The jeep will be my daily driver and will probably never see any off road action so will the stock spare carrier be enough or will I need to purchase a stronger aftermarket one? Are there tire carriers that don't have to be mounted to an aftermarket rear bumper?

TIA

 

With a 33inch tire you should be ok. If you do want to add a tire carrier there is the teraflex hinged tire carrier which does not mount to the bumper. | TeraFlex Suspensions

 

Thanks for the info and the link. I do plan on getting HD bumpers next year so I was hoping to be able to get by with the stock carrier until then.

 

Before I got the TF carrier, running 33's on stock gate was do-able. Just over bumps the tailgate would clunk around quite a bit, you'll need a carrier eventually if any offroadin. Edit: I doubt you'll hurt anything without using a carrier, but when I had my 33's on OE carrier, got really tired of the stress on my gate hinges from the gate shifting up and down over bumps.

 

daystar sells spare tire bumpstops for the tailgate and larger tires. easy as hell, cut to fit and good to go!

 

I would still install a tire carrier. The weight of the tire will wear the hindges and evently the tail gate will start saging. The Or-Fab is nice. It mounts to the hindges and keeps the weight off the tail gate & you can still install an after market bumper later.

 

I ran a spare 35 Baja claw on the stock tire carrier for about 2 1/2 years and never had a problem. 33 should be no problem.

 

you don't need a carrier for 33's.

 

I am running a 35 on my stock carrier BUT I have a light setup (my wheel and tire are only 85lbs which is only about 10lbs more than stock) AND I extended the bumpers AND I remove the spare and throw it in the back when I go wheeling.

So far no problems, but I do plan on getting the teraflex soon just to be sure and to move the spare closer to the tailgate.

I think if you extend your bumpstops so your wheel/tire make good contact with the tailgate you will be fine with the 33 as long as your wheel/tire combo stay realtiviely light (less than 90lbs). If you want to be extra sure when ever you wheel it, throw the spare in the back.

 

My stock carrier broke with my 35's around 25,000 but then again i am really rough on things i think you should be fine running 33 i would just make sure that they are torqued that was what did mine in. Xrc